Failure

We’ve all been there. Failure is just a part of life whether we like it or not.

Failure is such a monster.

It can steal our confidence and breed self-doubt.

It can rid us of our desire to keep going or to even start.

Failure stings.

And our natural, human reaction is to avoid anything that causes pain. Survival mode prompts us to see the thing that hurts and to run in the opposite direction.

On the flip side, we also know deep down inside our souls that to completely avoid failure means to remain stagnant. Remaining stagnant means zero growth. And zero growth means a life full of sameness. How boring is that?

Here’s the thing….

We are human and we were created for adventure. We were created with purpose and vision.

So, how do you live a life of adventure when failure seems to be a constant companion?

Repeat to yourself, “There is no such thing as Failure. It is just Feedback.”

You see, there are two ways to look at failure.

1) “Well, that was a great idea but it’s not going to work after all. Oh well. I guess it’s better to just keep doing what seems to be working. That way I don’t risk anything.” Or, …

2) “Well, this IS a great idea and I want this to work. Nothing good in this world comes easily. The way I am doing this is not working well. How can I learn from this? What can I do differently to make it work next time?”

The first option sees failure as the end.

It feels the sting and shrinks back from it. The first option prefers to stay safe and ultimately, stagnant.

The second option does not see failure as the end.

Failure is just evidence that how you are doing things is not working and it is time to receive that feedback with humility, learn from it, and then act accordingly.

It is not Failure. It is Feedback.

Make that your new mantra.

Whenever something does not go as expected remind yourself, “It is not Failure. It is feedback.”

It will take time and lots of practice. But, the more you train your mind to think this way the easier it will become.

There WILL be a time when you do NOT fear failure anymore. In fact, you will embrace failure and even celebrate it. With every failure, you are one step closer to success. And by refusing to allow failure to hold you back you are already experiencing success.

This is amazing. As someone that is in network marketing and getting ready to launch an online retail store I fear failing! But failure is a part of life. I’d rather try and fail then sit on the sidelines and watch life pass me by

Success in life (in general) doesn’t come without failure. The right mindset around this “scary” word definitely helps! I believe true growth, wisdom, and clarity come from failure and embracing it for those reasons will help with the sting of it.

I like your mantra “It’s not failure, it’s feedback.” That’s a good one to remember. My new one is “I never lose; either I win or I learn.” I wish I knew who to attribute it to, but I’ve found mixed info on that when I researched it. Having a spirit of adventure and learning is so much better than a spirit of fear, isn’t it?